Depleted Lanka too strong for SA

Kumar Sangakkara and Avishka Gunawardene slammed impressive half-centuries to help an under-strength Sri Lanka crush South Africa by seven wickets in the fourth one-day international here today. Sangakkara scored an unbeaten 74 and Gunawardene 52 as Sri Lanka surpassed South Africa8217;s total of 235 for seven with 23 balls to spare for a 4-0 lead in the five-match series. Sri Lanka rested front-line bowlers Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa and Rangana Herath along with captain Marvan Atapattu but still proved too strong for South Africa who suffered their ninth successive defeat, including five in New Zealand early this year. Reuters

Brief scores

South Africa: 235 /7 G Smith 46, S Pollock 52; Lokuarachchi 2/39.

SRI LANKA: 236 A Gunawardene 52, S Jayantha 46, K Sangakkara 74, M Jayawardene 48.